To develop role models and leaders in sports and life, we'll invite 6 Muslim soccer captains from 6 countries (Team Shirzanan 2017) to The Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy (JFSLA) followed by advocacy training in New York. Now more than ever, we value the universal power of sport to unify and unite. With Team Shirzanan 2015 as our model, we know this unique sports exchange will also contribute to cross-cultural understanding among the American hosts and multi-national Muslim guests.
Throughout the world, female athletes do not receive fair & accurate media representation. Shirzanan, which means "female heroes" in Persian, aims to make Muslim females more visible in sports media by reinforcing skills of leading athletes who will empower peers. We believe Muslim girls & women should shape & share their own narratives to inspire one another as role models pursuing the right to sport & its consequent benefits to health, academic, economic, political, social & gender equality.
We'll invite 6 Muslim athletes from 6 countries for 1 week of soccer/leadership camp led by American icon Julie Foudy, who captained the 2-time Olympic & World Cup championship teams, followed by digital storytelling, strategic communications & advocacy training by our multi-cultural staff in New York. Emerging leaders will strengthen confidence & abilities to write down, speak out & stand up for themselves! We'll help produce, publish & disseminate stories through our global media network.
The athletes will return home as Shirzanan Athlete Ambassadors committed to female empowerment through sports & media. With tool kits & improved written, verbal, social media & leadership skills, they'll share & inspire teammates/peers to advocate for fair representation in sports & in life. Our Afghan Ambassador attended The JFSLA in 2015 & proves this model's effectiveness. With ongoing mentorship, implementation of tools & introductions to media, public awareness & access to sports expand!
